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Lynn dominant in final Spring Training outing

Holliday drives in only run, Cardinals hold Marlins to three hits

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Lynn's five strikeouts 1:04

3/28/13: Lance Lynn strikes out five over six scoreless innings of work against the Marlins

By Jenifer Langosch
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MLB.com |

JUPITER, Fla. -- In the eighth and final Grapefruit League game between two clubs that share the Roger Dean Stadium spring complex, the Cardinals earned a 1-0 victory over the Marlins on Thursday behind a strong start from Lance Lynn.

Lynn retired the final 14 batters he faced in his first six-inning start of the spring. He allowed singles to Juan Pierre and Justin Ruggiano -- Pierre's was a bunt to lead off the game -- but never allowed Miami to advance a runner past second. Of Lynn's 78 pitches, 50 were strikes. He struck out five and didn't walk a batter.

"It was one of those days where you just want to get out there, get your work in and feel good coming out of it," Lynn said. "I would have liked to have thrown more, but the other guys needed to make sure get their work so they're ready. I was happy with the way I threw it, so it really doesn't matter how many pitches you get in."

The Marlins started lefty Justin Nicolino, who scattered six hits and a walk in his five-inning start. Nicolino struck out three and threw 41 of his 67 pitches for strikes. He is slated to begin the season in high Class A.

Jon Rauch, Steve Cishek and Mike Dunn followed with scoreless relief appearances for the Marlins.

The only run of the game scored in the first, when Jon Jay doubled and then scored on Matt Holliday's single to center. Jay entered the game having reached base safely in eight of his previous nine plate appearances. He finished Thursday's game 2-for-3.

Holliday also finished with a multi-hit game, and has reached base at least twice in each of his last four games.

Relievers Edward Mujica, Trevor Rosenthal and Mitchell Boggs preserved the shutout for the Cardinals, as each pitched an inning. St. Louis, which has won four straight, had one previous shutout this spring.

Up next: The Cardinals wrap up Grapefruit League play on Friday with an 11:10 a.m. CT game against the Mets. Jake Westbrook, who is set to start the fourth game of the regular season, will be making his sixth start of spring. He is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA thus far. New York will counter with Matt Harvey. After the game, the Cardinals will board a flight for Phoenix, where they will open the season against the D-Backs on Monday. Friday's game can be followed live on Gameday.